Newbie matching Amp to Sub
 

Hi,
I'm new to the forums, and just getting back into auto audio install - been a while since I've done this. I've built my system over the last 6 months, and I'm wondering how to work around a problem I have. When I purchased my sub and the amp to run it, I was a little greener than now, and didn't spend the time I should have to match them. I'm using a Pioneer D9601 mono amp to push an Alpine SWS10D4 sub. The sub is rated for 150-500watts, and I have the 2 coils in parallel, giving me 2ohms. The amp pushes 800watts @ 2ohms, so I am overpowering the sub by 300watts. I have it set with no gain, and it sounds really good, but I'm afraid of burning the sub up. I was wondering whether it would work to get another SWS10D4 and run it in parallel with my first sub, which should give me 1000watts @ 1ohm. The amp would push 1200watts @ 1ohm, so would only be overpowering the subs by 20%. Does 1200watts to 1000watt subs sound comfortable? I appreciate any help.

Chris

No its actually OK. with any sub or speaker, you can blow it with an amp of equal power rating. Speaker power ratings are rather subjective. At low frequencies subs are excursion limited, meaning you can tear and damage it with a fraction of the power. At higher frequencies it is thermal limited, meaning melting the voice coil.
The best way to keep a sub healthy is to learn to hear the sounds of it overloading. Usually bottoming out with a slap or rattle. If it sounds bad, its overloading!